Underbody paneling for a motor vehicle and corresponding motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle, having the following feature:- the motor vehicle has an underbody panel (10) and a cooling module (15), characterized by the following features:- the underbody panel (10) comprises air cushions (11), a rubber lip (12) with an initial position in which the underbody panel (10) is closed, hydraulic cylinders (13), and a compressor fluidically connected to the air cushions (11),- the underbody panel (10) is configured such that the underbody panel (10) opens and the hydraulic cylinders (13) raise a central section of the underbody panel (10) when the air cushions (11) are pressurized,- the air cushions (11) and the rubber lip (12) are mechanically connected such that the rubber lip (12) raises when the air cushions (11) are pressurized, and- the underbody panel (10) and the cooling module (15) are arranged relative to one another such thatthat an air flow (17) entering the motor vehicle through the opened underbody panel (10) is directed onto the cooling module (15).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an underbody panel for a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a corresponding motor vehicle.

[0002] In an internal combustion engine, a large portion of the energy contained in the fuel is converted into heat. However, excessive temperatures can damage the engine by disrupting the lubricating film and burning the valves. State-of-the-art motor vehicles therefore usually feature air and water cooling as their primary cooling system. This cooling system dissipates the excess heat to the outside air via a radiator. An oil cooler is often used to additionally cool the engine's lubricant, typically in addition to air cooling. In some cases, separate cooling systems are also provided for charge air, transmission oil, steering gear oil, or fuel.

[0003] At full load, the current air supply in front of the radiator (via the center intake) is insufficient. To improve cooling performance, an increase in the air supply is therefore generally necessary. FR 2 864 512 A1 discloses an underbody panel with two flaps for this purpose. DE 10 2017 001 662 A1, DE 10 2014 106 067 A1, DE 10 2007 022 298 A1, DE 10 2014 116 166 A1, and DE 10 2014 016 353 A1 also propose various underbody panels with flaps. Finally, DE 10 2011 111 456 A1 describes a spoiler lip that folds out using an inflatable air cushion.

[0004] The invention provides an underbody panel for a motor vehicle and a corresponding motor vehicle according to the independent claims.

[0005] The inventive approach pursues an innovative concept for effectively directing air from the underbody to the radiator. One advantage of this solution is that it ensures a directed airflow to the cooling module while taking various external influences (especially mechanical stress) into account.

[0006] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. The underbody panel (UBV) comprises a rubber lip with an initial position in which the underbody panel is closed. The air cushions and the rubber lip are mechanically connected in such a way that the rubber lip rises when the air cushions are pressurized. Due to the shape of the rubber lip and the tilted UBV section, the air flow is directed specifically into the vehicle and thus used effectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the underbody paneling can be provided with an elastic outer skin that covers the air cushions in such a way that the air flow around the underbody paneling is laminar when the air cushions are pressurized. This prevents flow separation and ensures continued laminar flow at the underbody.

[0008] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Fig. 1 shows the perspective view of an underbody panel according to the invention in a first state. Fig. 2 shows the perspective view of the underbody paneling according to the invention in a second state. Fig. 3 shows the perspective partial view of a motor vehicle with the underbody paneling in the first state. Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows the perspective partial view of a motor vehicle with the underbody paneling in the second state. Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 5.

[0009] All figures illustrate the system according to the invention for increasing air supply (increasing cooling capacity) on the underbody. Said system consists of the underbody panel (10), an adjustable section on the underbody panel (10), and a rubber lip (12) with associated actuators in the form of air cushions (11).

[0010] In the starting position ( Fig. 1, Fig. 3 or 4), the elastic rubber lip (12) is retracted and the underbody panel (10) is closed. In order to direct the air flow (17) in front of the cooling module (15), the movable section is opened by hydraulic cylinders (13) or electromechanically. At the same time, air is pumped into the air cushions (11) by a compressor (not shown in the drawing). The pneumatic pressure now exerted extends the rubber lip (12) and directs the air flow (17) into the vehicle ( Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and 6 respectively).

[0011] If engine cooling is not to be achieved by means of air flow (17), the open section of the underbody panel (10) is closed hydraulically and the rubber lip (12) is retracted by conveying the air from the air cushions (11).

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle with the following characteristics: - the motor vehicle has an underbody panel (10) and a cooling module (15), characterized by following features: - the underbody panel (10) comprises air cushions (11), a rubber lip (12) with an initial position in which the underbody panel (10) is closed, hydraulic cylinders (13) and a compressor fluidically connected to the air cushions (11), - the underbody panel (10) is configured such that the underbody panel (10) opens and the hydraulic cylinders (13) raise a central section of the underbody panel (10) when the air cushions (11) are subjected to pneumatic pressure, - the air cushions (11) and the rubber lip (12) are mechanically connected in such a way that the rubber lip (12) is raised when the air cushions (11) are pressurised and - the underbody paneling (10) and the cooling module (15) are arranged relative to one another in such a way that an air flow (17) entering the motor vehicle through the opened underbody paneling (10) is directed onto the cooling module (15). [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by following features: - the underbody paneling (10) has an elastic outer skin (14) and - the outer skin (14) covers the air cushions (11) in such a way that the underbody panelling (10) is flowed around in a laminar manner when the air cushions (11) are pressurised. [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by following features: - the motor vehicle has a central air duct (16) and - the hydraulic cylinders (13) are supported against the air duct (16). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by following feature: - the underbody panel (10) is shaped in such a way that the air flow (17) is directed towards the cooling module (15) over an area of 237.2 cm 2 is supplied. [5] Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by following feature: - the underbody panel (10) is configured such that the rubber lip (12) stands 29 mm along the yaw axis of the motor vehicle with respect to the initial position when the air cushions (11) are fully pressurized.

Images